Carlos Brathwaite’s exasperation boiled over during Qualifier 1 of the Max60 Caribbean 2024, resulting in the kind of moment that immediately went viral on social media for all the wrong reasons. The former West Indies all-rounder in the colours of New York Strikers, was at the centre of a contentious dismissal that visibly disturbed and infuriated him.
Against the Grand Cayman Jaguars, Brathwaite was given out caught behind the wicket off Ireland pacer Joshua Little but replays subsequently showed the ball made contact with the batsman’s shoulder before landing in the gloves of wicketkeeper Ben Dunk. The umpire’s finger went up almost instantaneously to Brathwaite’s shock and for a fleeting moment he stood still visibly stunned, forcing himself to take in the mettle of the decision.
After a fleeting moment of disbelief morphed into seeping anger, he finally began his agonising venture back to the pavilion, fully aware of the card he had been dealt. However, as he passed the boundary, the 36-year-old lost all composure. Stunned with raw emotion, Brathwaite hurl his helmet up into the air, and, in a monumental effort smashed it with his bat which sent it spiralling outside of the park.
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Apparently not done there as he walked down the steps to his dugout a fury fired his bat away in an explicit rant against the decision, displaying an alarming contrast to a man usually used to carry himself with a concealed wordless demeanour. Brathwaite’s insignificant innings came to an end after stumbling his way to seven runs in five balls, including only a single six.
— Cric guy (@Cricguy88) August 25, 2024
Although Brathwaite’s wicket fell as the ninth over came to a conclusion with ten balls remaining, it was a crucial part of the innings which represented a potentially valuable wicket for the New York Strikers; with Brathwaite’s power hitting an almost player-defining ability to score aggressively.
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Indeed the commentary reflected and perhaps echoed Brathwaite’s own sentiments, by expressing disgust with the decision, with one stating it was a “poor decision” as it very much yet seemed that the ball came off his shoulder less than it came off his bat. There are times when too often officiating formalities enter matches such as these sudden or high lightning fixtures, resulting in disagreement of players and power of players.
